System of intervertebral prostheses

ABSTRACT

System of intervertebral prostheses which comprise a prosthesis core ( 5 ) and two cover plates ( 4, 6 ) which enclose the prosthesis core ( 5 ) by way of internal engaging surfaces ( 7 ). The system includes corrective cover plates ( 6 ) whose vertebral contact surface ( 12 ) is lengthened in the AP direction dorsally beyond the extent of standard prostheses ( 4 ). In sagittal section, the corrective cover plates are dorsally thickened, in particular wedge-shaped. The inner face ( 11 ) of the part ( 10 ) constituting the dorsal lengthening is beveled or recessed.

[0001] A number of cases have been reported in which the caudal, dorsal portion of the fifth lumbar vertebral body has become greatly worn or has collapsed after prosthesis implantation. The risk of collapse arises if the vertebra has been worn away in the dorsal area and the remaining dorsal lip breaks off or too much is removed. This finding, which is part of the inventive achievement, leads to the object of making available an intervertebral prosthesis which in such a case reduces the risk of collapse. This is achieved by using the corrective cover plate specified in claim 1.

[0002] The intervertebral prostheses of the system according to the invention consist of two cover plates and a prosthesis core. On their inner side directed toward one another, the cover plates have engaging surfaces which are designed as sliding articulation surfaces or holding surfaces complementary to the surfaces of the prosthesis core. On their outsides, the cover plates form vertebral contact surfaces which are intended to bear against the associated vertebral bodies and possibly to be secured thereon. The system consists principally of standard prostheses whose vertebral contact surfaces can be kept ready in different sizes and have a predetermined dimension in the antero-posterior direction. The position of the ventral and dorsal edges of the vertebral contact surfaces of the standard prostheses also has a predetermined spatial relationship to the position of the internal engaging surfaces of the cover plates.

[0003] The corrective cover plate according to the invention differs from the standard cover plates in that the vertebral contact surface is lengthened in the AP direction dorsally beyond the AP extent of the standard cover plates, and in that it is dorsally thickened in sagittal section. As a result of the thickening, the loss of substance on the vertebral body is wholly or partially compensated. As a result of the lengthening, the vertebral contact surface is extended dorsally and thus reduces the loading of the weakened bone area. The lengthening is made possible by the fact that the bone surface which has been changed compared to the normal state has gained in size at the dorsal end.

[0004] The thickening is advantageously wedge-shaped. The wedge shape expediently extends over the entire AP extent of the cover plate. In some cases, however, it can also be sufficient to start the wedge shape at a distance from the ventral edge, for example in the central area of the cover plate.

[0005] It is true that cover plates which are wedge-shaped in the sagittal direction for intervertebral prostheses are known (public prior use by the Applicant). In these, the thicker side of the wedge generally lies on the ventral side in order to compensate the lumbar lordosis in which the intervertebral space widens on the ventral side. However, a case has also already been reported (public prior use by the Applicant) in which a known wedge-shaped plates [sic] of this kind was fitted with the thickened side in the dorsal direction. This results, however, in an incorrect positioning of the joint center and of the force transmission. This is avoided by the dorsal lengthening according to the invention, together with the dorsal wedge-shaped increase in thickness.

[0006] The prior art not yet published also includes (PCT/EP02/03132=WO 02/080818) a corrective plate whose internal engaging surfaces, compared to normal prostheses, is [sic] offset in the AP direction in relation to the contact surface. This affords the possibility of positioning the joint center of a prosthesis elsewhere than is the case in standard prostheses.

[0007] The wedge angle of the cover plate is expediently between 5° and 20°.

[0008] According to an important feature of the invention, the inner face of the part of the corrective cover plate forming the lengthening can shelve away toward the edge and toward the vertebral contact surface. It is as it were beveled. This bevel can be rectilinear or recessed. The recess can have an arc-shaped or stepped profile. It provides free space for the margin of the slide core or anatomically natural parts which are located in proximity.

[0009] It is known to provide the vertebral contact surfaces with teeth which penetrate into the adjoining vertebral body and fix the position of the cover plate in relation to the vertebral body. In the standard prostheses, these teeth are mostly arranged along the ventral edge and dorsal edge. By contrast, in the corrective cover plates according to the invention, the dorsal teeth are expediently provided at a greater distance from the dorsal edge, namely preferably where they are located in relation to the engaging surfaces in the standard cover plates. The reason for this measure is that, in cases where the corrective cover plate is used, the bone substance in proximity to the edge margin of the prosthesis is often weakened as a result of wear, and it is therefore better to arrange the teeth in more solid bone substance lying farther forward.

[0010] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing which depicts an advantageous illustrative embodiment, and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 shows, in sagittal section, an intervertebral prosthesis equipped with a corrective cover plate and in the implanted state,

[0012]FIG. 2 shows the corrective cover plate on an enlarged scale in sagittal section, and

[0013]FIGS. 3 and 4 show partial views of alternative configurations according to the circle indicated in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates the use of the prosthesis 1 between the fifth lumbar vertebra 2 and the sacrum 3. The prosthesis 1 consists of a lower, standard cover plate 4, a prosthesis core 5, and a corrective cover plate 6. This is a construction in which both cover plates 4, 6 have spherical sliding articulation surfaces 7 acting as engaging surfaces via which they interact with the prosthesis core 5. The latter has a collar 8 which prevents it from escaping from its insertion space if the cover plates 4, 6 were to open unusually wide on either side in the event of flexion movement.

[0015] The vertebral body 2 is worn away unusually severely in its dorsal, caudal area 9. As a result, its surface directed toward the prosthesis appears dorsally lengthened. To compensate this, the corrective cover plate is wedge-shaped, with a greater thickness toward the dorsal side. It also has a part 10 which is lengthened dorsally beyond the dorsal limit of the standard plates. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inside 11 of this lengthened part 10 extends obliquely, so that its inner edge does not protrude too far dorsally and so that the dorsal collar 8 of the prosthesis core has sufficient space during flexion movement. According to the examples in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner face 11 can also be more distinctly stepped or can form a rounded recess. The important fact is that the dorsal length of the part 10 leads to the formation of a support surface which is longer than in normal circumstances and through which the force transmission is distributed over a greater surface area and the dorsally weakened bone is spared.

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the measurement of the wedge angle α between the main direction of the engaging surfaces 9 (or their edge) on the one hand and the main direction of the vertebral contact surface 12, on the other. In the case illustrated, the angle is approximately 8°. It can also be slightly greater or slightly smaller. In this case, the main direction of the sliding articulation surfaces 7 is determined on the basis of its peripheral margin. The main direction of the vertebral contact surface 12 coincides with its direction, as it is flat. If it is curved, its middle direction is to be regarded as the main direction.

[0017]FIG. 1 shows that in the standard cover plate 4 the teeth 13, 14 are arranged near the ventral edge and the dorsal edge. These are teeth which, because of their sharpness, penetrate into the bone surface when, following insertion of the prosthesis between the spread-open vertebral bodies 2, 3, this spreading is reversed and the tensioning of the ligaments or the load of the bodyweight presses the vertebral contact surfaces 12 of the prosthesis perpendicularly against the associated vertebra.

[0018] Unlike the teeth 14 of the standard cover plate, the dorsal teeth 16 of the corrective cover plate are not arranged near the dorsal edge of the vertebral contact surface 12, but arranged approximately where they are also located in the standard cover plate 4 (in relation to the engaging surfaces 7). This is based on the assumption that, at this location, there will be more resistant bone substance than there is near the ventral edge of the cover plate.

[0019] The use of the invention is not limited to the prosthesis type illustrated. It can instead also be used if sliding articulation surfaces are provided only on one cover plate, while only retaining members for the prosthesis core 5 are present on the other cover plate. Finally, it can also be used when both cover plates are connected rigidly to the prosthesis core 5 and the movement of the joint is provided for within the prosthesis core 5. 

1. System of intervertebral prostheses which comprise a prosthesis core (5) and two cover plates which enclose the prosthesis core via internal engaging surfaces (7) and whose external vertebral contact surfaces (12), in standard cover plates (4), have a predetermined extent in sagittal section and have a predetermined position in relation to the engaging surfaces (7), said system including corrective cover plates (6) whose vertebral contact surface (12) is lengthened in the AP direction dorsally beyond the standard AP extent and, in sagittal section, is dorsally thickened.
 2. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 1, characterized in that the dorsal thickening is wedge-shaped.
 3. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 2, characterized in that the wedge shape extends over the entire AP extent of the cover plate.
 4. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the wedge angle (α) in sagittal section between the main direction of the engaging surfaces and the main direction of the vertebral contact surface is between 5° and 20°.
 5. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner face (11) of the part (10) of the corrective cover plate (6) forming the lengthening shelves away toward the edge and toward the vertebral contact surface (12).
 6. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 5, characterized in that the shelved inner face (11) extends in a straight line.
 7. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 5, characterized in that the shelved inner face (11) extends in a concave shape.
 8. System of intervertebral prostheses according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertebral contact surface (12) of the corrective cover plate (6) has one or more teeth (16) adjacent to the dorsal edge, which teeth (16) are at a greater distance from the dorsal edge than are the teeth (14) adjacent to the dorsal edge in standard prostheses (4). 